It has taught me that it is not beneath me to go out in public unshowered, in sweatpants, with poop and yak stains all over me if we need batteries for the mobile.
It has also taught me that everyone is someone's baby and I can no longer watch the news without bawling.
It's way better than I ever thought. And also WAY more emotional than I ever could have anticipated.
I don't think you can prepare for it.